Total pages in book: 153
Estimated words: 144571 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 723(@200wpm)___ 578(@250wpm)___ 482(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 144571 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 723(@200wpm)___ 578(@250wpm)___ 482(@300wpm)
“And Cooper?”
Kala shrugged. “I don’t know. You would have to ask him.”
“Do you have something going on with that young man?” Lena asked. “There was a certain tension between the two of you tonight.”
“Nope. We grew up together and now we work together, and that’s all she wrote.” And all she would ever write because it turned out she wasn’t a sexual creature at all. Another way she didn’t fit in. She spent half her time at a sex club, and the one time she tried had been a spectacular failure. Though it wasn’t like Coop had been some sex god. Disappointing was definitely a word she would use. She’d heard rumors that he was great in bed. So it probably was a her problem.
“You should be careful with him,” Lena advised. “I like Cooper. He’s a lovely young man, but I don’t think he’s going to ever become a true operative. I think he’ll play around with it for a couple of years and then go back to his first love.”
“Flying.” She’d always known that truth, too. “He’ll either go back to the military or go civilian. He’ll want a family and roots.” Would she get an invite to his wedding one day? Hear about the birth of his first kid? She wanted that for him, but damn it hurt. “Yeah, I suspect he will. I’m sure we can find someone else for logistics.”
The door opened and Drake strode out, stopping when he saw Kala sitting there with Lena. His eyes widened. “You two okay?”
Lena waved him off, standing. “Just having a chat. You heading back to the hotel?”
He nodded. “Yes. I’ve got a conference call with the Swedes in a couple of hours. You need a ride?”
Lena straightened her skirt and settled her purse on her shoulder. “Yes, thank you. And Kala, I hope you think about what I’ve said tonight. I do think you can do great things, but you have to believe it, too. We can talk more at our next session.”
She gave Lena a jaunty thumbs-up before she walked away with Drake.
She wished the parking area didn’t wrap around. Had her parents snuck out the back door? Had Cooper?
She groaned. How had she fucked things up so badly?
“Are you sure you want me to help? I mean, I could send someone who’s not like related and stuff. I think Gabe’s still here. He’s used to weird projects,” a familiar voice said as the door came open. “Also, why? I would like to know why? Do I want to know why? Maybe I don’t.” Her brother Seth stopped, his skin flushing slightly. “Oh, hey, sis. Uh, you doing good?”
What the hell? “I don’t know. Am I, Seth? Who are you talking to?”
Seth hung up really fast. “Dad. He wants me to come out to Sanctum tomorrow. I think he’s pulling a prank on Uncle Adam. You know those two. It never ends.”
She stared at him, trying to tell if he was lying. Seth wasn’t a great liar, but he did know how to add in some truth to throw things off. “Is this about me?”
Seth held a hand up. “No. Dude, I do not fuck with you. Like whatever happened tonight between you and Cooper is your business.” He seemed to think of something, and his jaw went tight. “Unless he did something he shouldn’t have. Do I need to deal with him?”
Her singer-songwriter brother wanted to fight with Coop? “I think I can handle it.”
“You shouldn’t have to,” Seth replied. “If he fucks with my sister, I can take care of it. I know I’m not some badass operative, but I’m still a damn Taggart. I know how to get some revenge, and not merely through song. If I decide Coop needs some justice, I’ll administer it.”
So weird how nice it was to hear those words. She took it for granted that no one would protect her because she was the protector. Kala sighed and walked to her brother, wrapping her arms around him. “I think that’s sweet, Seth, but I can handle Cooper. He didn’t do anything wrong. We just weren’t meant to be.”
Seth only hesitated for a second, likely out of shock that she was being so affectionate. Then his arms came around her. “Are you sure? You’ve loved him for a long time, and I know he’s been waiting to make a move. You don’t see how he looks at you.”
She sniffled and pulled back, looking him over. Her snot-nosed, obnoxious brother was a handsome young man. He was talented, and someday he was going to be a star. She loved him so much, loved them all. “Sometimes it’s not enough. And you’re one to talk. Should we discuss your situationship with Chloe Lodge?”
Her brother immediately backed away, holding up his hands. “Nope. She and I do not get along. She’s uptight and picky.”